Blitz on Selfish Cyclists

Article excerpt

Police are issuing cautions and [pounds sterling]60 on-the-spot fines for pavement cycling and red-light jumping at five sites in London.

Drivers also face the same penalties for using their mobile phones while driving, and for entering advance cycle boxes at traffic lights. The month-long initiative is part of an attempt by Transport for London to encourage greater respect between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

TfL believes that if cars and bikes can learn to share the road then this will help cut pedestrian and cyclist casualties. Last year the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured rose from 340 to 372, with the number of deaths increasing from eight to 21.

TfL says the figures, which buck the trend of a 45 per cent fall in all road casualties, is "clearly cause for concern".

Today's crackdown is taking place at five sites across central and outer London. TfL has refused to identify the sites to prevent warning offenders in advance.

Announcing the initiative, Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "We have started enforcement on the street of a code about sharing road space fairly and wisely. We are advising pedestrians not to step out without looking which way the traffic is coming, and advising cyclists they shouldn't be cycling on the pavement or across red lights. Also, motorists should not be blocking the cycle boxes at the front of traffic lights.

"Police are on the streets with TfL officials, stopping people, cautioning them or, if it's a serious offence, charging them."

A TfL spokesman said the operation was being conducted by its traffic operational command unit, which is a joint initiative with the Met police, alongside a major advertising campaign. …